James Leslie Bizzell

JAMES LESLIE (Jim) BIZZELL, 78, Army Veteran, passed away on December 5, 2021, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Jim was born April 17, 1943, in Wichita, Kansas, to Austin and Marjorie Bizzell.

Jim grew up in Oklahoma, attending six schools after his father became a Methodist minister. Jim's high school years, his favorite years, were at Aline and Pond Creek where he graduated as a proud Bearcat with the class of 1961 and stayed a staunch supporter until his death. Working and paying his way, Jim graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State University with a B.A. of Education and later completed his Master of Education in School Administration at Wichita State University.

Jim was a creative and dedicated elementary school teacher for several years at both Fort Leavenworth and Wichita, Kansas, resigning to volunteer for duty with the U.S. Army in Vietnam in hopes that he "might save at least one 18-year-old life", which is an example of hundreds of deeds dedicated to helping others throughout his life. After returning home, Jim had a long, successful career with Southwestern Bell Yellow Pages. Jim was highly regarded for his training and management skills and in the development of others, for which he earned several prestigious awards and trips. After retirement, Jim returned to teaching and mentoring high-risk students.

Jim was a walking encyclopedia of baseball trivia and regularly active in sports including tennis, running, baseball, and basketball. Jim was a lifelong avid sports fan, traveling the state with friends Gary Faragher and David Melott, and often times his sister Marsha, to watch District and Regional basketball tournaments - it did not matter who the teams were!

Jim was a devoted father, known for being the eternal mentor, teacher, and advisor, as well as putting a smile on your face. He loved working, was a fierce and loyal friend, and would be hard to surpass in random acts of kindness - but he would want you to try. Jim loved God, his country, and spending time with his family most of all.

Preceding Jim in death were his father, Rev. Austin Bizzell; his mother, Marjorie Bizzell; and two infant brothers, Charles Wayne and David Austin.

Jim leaves many loving memories with his family, son, Brian Bizzell and wife Olivia; daughter, Kristen Franze; grandsons Yeager Franze and Dylan Bizzell; granddaughters Avery Bizzell and Julieta Franze; sisters Marsha Layne and husband Terry; Ruth Adams and companion Max Underwood; four nieces, Karla Hula, Ann Swank, Heather Encinas, and Amber Adams; a host of friends.

Memorial service celebrating Jim's life will be 1:00 PM, December 31, 2021, at the Pond Creek Methodist Church, 221 S 2nd St, Pond Creek, OK 73766. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Reverend Austin and Marjorie Bizzell Ministry Endowed Scholarship. Contributions may be submitted to Oklahoma City University, P. O. Box 2780, Oklahoma City, OK 73101.

Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Schaudt's Glenpool Funeral Service & Cremation Care, 719 East 141st Street, Glenpool, OK 74033. Family and friends may leave kind words of comfort, special memories and condolences to the family online at www.schaudtfuneralservice.com.